After 44 years, 5 presidents and 6 treasurers, senior assistant Nancy Decker is retiring

After 44 years, five presidents and six treasurers, Nancy Decker is retiring from her work in Hovde Hall’s administrative offices. (Purdue University photo/John Underwood)

Asked to reflect on her 44 years at Purdue, Nancy Decker doesn’t cite the projects she completed or university rankings. Instead, her story unfolds as a series of relationships built on a common commitment to the Boilermaker spirit.

“I have worked alongside great leaders – Fred Ford, Steve Beering, Jim Almond, Ken Burns, Al Diaz, Bill Sullivan – these are people of integrity, completely committed and devoted to Purdue,” Decker says. “And it’s the people that have made my time at Purdue exciting and fun.”

Decker, senior executive assistant in the Office of the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, has worked at Purdue since 1977. Now approaching retirement, Decker recalls immediately liking the work and loving the campus.

“I was fresh out of high school, with no affiliation to the University, so I feel like I grew up at Purdue,” Decker says. “And these great leaders were more than co-workers – they were my extended family. I mean, John Hicks and Howard Lyon babysat my kids.”

There is no shortage of great leaders in Decker’s extended family; she has worked with six treasurers and five presidents during her tenure in Hovde Hall. Starting in the Office of the Dean of Engineering, she soon interviewed for a dual clerical position in the Office of the Treasurer and Office of the Board of Trustees. From there, she has been recruited for different roles within the President’s Office, Office of the Vice President for Business Services and Assistant Treasurer and the Office of the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, as needed.

“Nancy is an incredible Boilermaker,” says James Almond, senior vice president and assistant treasurer. “I had the privilege of working with Nancy for a number of years before her appointment and promotion to the treasurer’s office. Her tremendous background, work experience and knowledge of Purdue University was instrumental to the success of all those who worked with her.”

Decker is more comfortable talking about her pride in other people than she is talking about her own achievements, and this is part of what has made her such a valuable and respected part of the Purdue team.

“I’m finally recognizing that I am an encourager,” Decker says. “I get behind somebody and do what I can to help them get where they need to go. And when that’s who you are innately, it’s so easy to do the work I’ve done. Put any title on it you want – it is support, and I’ve always loved it.”

Almond says, “More important is how she has interacted with everyone around her with an incredible work ethic, sense of purpose and humility that we all admire.”

Decker views her time at Purdue as a blessing in a number of ways, including how it opened up doors for her children to pursue their own interests. Her daughter, Whitney, earned her bachelor's, master’s and PharmD degrees from Purdue. Her son, Robert, grew up with Purdue athletics.

“Football, basketball and women’s volleyball – we knew every schedule and every player’s name,” Decker recalls. “Purdue athletics was something Robert and I had together, and I will always cherish those memories. Purdue has just given me so many benefits beyond the job: friendships, relationships, opportunities.”

Above and beyond memories of the Rose Bowl and visits by then President Ronald Reagan, Decker also credits Purdue with – quite literally – saving her life.

Three years ago, a visit to Purdue’s Center for Healthy Living to treat an ear infection led to a very serious cancer diagnosis. Thanks to a very focused and diligent nurse practitioner, Decker was able to pursue early treatment and is in complete remission.

“Often you don’t understand the significance of something until you get beyond it and can reflect,” Decker says. “I firmly believe that the best things in life come from our greatest challenges. If I can share one bit of insight with other people, that would be it.”

Decker plans to take full advantage of her retirement by spending more time with her friends and family, including her father, a resident at Mulberry Health memory care facility. Decker's last day at Purdue is Sept. 30.

“I have spent my life supporting the people of Purdue and they have supported me in return, in so many ways,” Decker says. “Now it’s time to distribute that support in other ways.” 

Writer: Christy McCarter, mccarter@purdue.edu